Queensland Digital Health Clinical Charter: a clinical consensus statement on priorities for digital health in hospitals
Clair Sullivan A E , Andrew Staib B , Keith McNeil C , David Rosengren A and Ian Johnson DA Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston Road, Qld 4006, Australia. Email: David.Rosengren@health.qld.gov.au
B Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Health, Mater Medical Research Institute University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, 199 Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, Qld 4102, Australia. Email: andrew.staib@health.qld.gov.au
C Queensland Health, Charlotte Street, Brisbane, Qld 4000, Australia. Email: Keith.McNeil@health.qld.gov.au
D Queensland Clinical Senate, Butterfield Street, Herston, Qld 4006, Australia. Email: Ian.johnson@health.qld.gov.au
E Corresponding author. Email: Clair.Sullivan@health.qld.gov.au
Australian Health Review 44(5) 661-665 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH19067
Submitted: 16 March 2019 Accepted: 14 July 2019 Published: 20 November 2019
Abstract
Digital transformation of Australian hospitals is occurring rapidly. Although the clinical community has had limited ability to influence high-level decision making and investments into digital health technologies, as these technologies increasingly transform the way patients are cared for, the clinical community must influence the digital health agenda and be an integral part of the decision-making process. This case study details the process and lessons learnt during the development of the state-wide consensus statement detailing the clinical requirements for digital health initiatives to form the Queensland Digital Health Clinical Charter. To the best of our knowledge, Queensland is the first Australian jurisdiction to create a Digital Clinical Charter to be specifically referenced in the investment in and governance of digital health in hospitals. By developing this clinical charter for digital health, and in articulating the needs of clinicians, a clinical framework will be added to both the decision-making process around the investments in digital health and the definition and realisation of the expected benefits from these sizable investments.
What is known about the topic? Digital transformation of healthcare is occurring rapidly. The clinical community has had limited ability to influence high-level decision making and investments into these digital health technologies. Tension currently exists between the clinical community who must use the new digital technologies and the technical groups that govern the introduction of the new technologies. This tension can be manifest as clinicians refusing to adopt new systems, safety concerns and an inability to reach consensus on direction. There are few peer reviewed publications addressing this tension between the clinical community and technical providers.
What does this paper add? This paper is the first attempt to create a list of clinical requirements for digital transformation that crosses professional streams and is endorsed by the state-wide executive leadership team to inform the acquisition and governance of digital health technologies.
What are the implications for practitioners? Clinicians can feel excluded and marginalised during the decision-making process for new digital technologies, despite the fact that they are often using these technologies to deliver hands-on care to patients. This charter clearly articulates the requirements of clinicians for digital transformation and has been endorsed by the executive leadership team of Queensland Health. The charter adds a clinical framework to be referenced during the decision-making process around the investments in digital health, and the definition and realisation of the expected benefits from these sizable investments. As the digital landscape in public hospitals evolves, clinicians are becoming increasingly reliant upon digital technologies. It is critical that clinicians have a strong effect on technology acquisition and governance to maximise the quality and efficiency of the care they provide.
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